Easy American Goulash (Hamburger Goulash with Macaroni)

Today I’m sharing one of the ultimate comfort food classics from my childhood—my mom’s American goulash.

It’s simple, hearty, and made with basic pantry ingredients. The kind of meal that shows up on busy weeknights, in school cafeterias, and at family tables when you just want something warm and satisfying.

My version uses extra-lean ground beef but keeps all the familiar flavors I remember, including my mom’s little pinch of cinnamon.

Also known as American Chop Suey, this easy hamburger goulash combines ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce for a cozy, budget-friendly dinner.

This has been one of the most popular recipes on Simple Nourished Living for years. Try it and you’ll see why it made the list of our most popular WW recipes of 2025.

Cooking for one or two? I’ve included an easy half-batch version that makes just three servings, perfect for dinner with a little left over for lunch.

What Is American Goulash?

American goulash is an old-fashioned comfort food made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a tomato-based sauce.

It’s quite different from traditional Hungarian goulash, which is a slow-simmered stew made with chunks of beef, vegetables, and paprika.

In many parts of the United States, this dish is also known as American Chop Suey.

There are lots of variations, but this is the simple hamburger macaroni goulash I grew up eating.

Why You’ll Love This Easy American Goulash

• Simple, budget-friendly ingredients: Ground beef, macaroni, canned tomatoes and tomato soup.
• Ready in about 30 minutes: An easy dinner for busy weeknights.
• Classic comfort food: All the familiar flavors of old-fashioned hamburger goulash.
• Great for leftovers: Make the full recipe for six or a half batch for three.
• Easy to customize: Change the protein, add vegetables or sprinkle a little cheese on top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Elbow macaroni: The classic pasta for American goulash. Other small pasta shapes will work, too.
• Olive oil: Just a little for browning the beef and vegetables.
• Extra-lean ground beef: Keeps this family favorite a little lighter while providing plenty of satisfying flavor.
• Onion: Adds flavor to the tomato sauce.
• Green bell pepper: A traditional addition to hamburger goulash. You can substitute another color if you prefer.
• Condensed tomato soup: Gives this goulash its familiar, slightly sweet tomato flavor. Use it straight from the can without adding water.
• Diced tomatoes: Add tomato flavor and texture. I like petite diced tomatoes. Use the juices, too.
• Cinnamon: Just a pinch, the way my mom made it. It adds a subtle warmth without making the dish taste like cinnamon.
• Sugar: A small pinch helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste.

How to Make American Goulash

Step 1: Cook the macaroni.

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the beef and vegetables.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet (affiliate link) over medium heat.

Add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 3: Make the sauce.

Stir in the condensed tomato soup, diced tomatoes with their juices, cinnamon, and sugar.

Simmer gently for a few minutes until heated through.

Step 4: Combine and serve.

Stir in the cooked macaroni.

Alternatively, if your skillet isn’t quite big enough, stir everything together in the pasta pan.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

Substitutions and Variations

One of the nice things about American goulash is how easy it is to adapt to your tastes and what you have on hand.

Change the protein. Substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based crumbles for the beef.

Try another pasta. Whole wheat or gluten-free elbow macaroni works well, as do small shells or other short pasta shapes.

Add more vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or corn are all possibilities.

Change the tomato sauce. You can substitute tomato sauce or marinara for the condensed tomato soup, although the flavor will be a little different from the old-fashioned version.

Add a little spice. Try garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Make it cheesy. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar or mozzarella over individual servings.

How to Make a Smaller Batch of American Goulash (3 Servings)

Cooking for one or two? This old-fashioned hamburger goulash is easy to cut in half. A smaller batch makes 3 generous servings, perfect for dinner for two with a little left over for lunch.

Ingredients for a Half Batch

• 1 cup (4 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ pound extra-lean ground beef
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• ½ green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (10¾ ounces) condensed tomato soup
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• Small pinch of cinnamon
• Small pinch of sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet (affiliate link) over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion and bell pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato soup, diced tomatoes, cinnamon and sugar. Simmer gently until heated through.
4. Add the cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Alternatively, if your skillet isn’t quite big enough, stir everything together in the pasta pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

The cooking time is about the same as the original recipe, so dinner can be ready in approximately 30 minutes.

A few helpful tips:

• Use what you have. A deep skillet or medium saucepan works well for the smaller batch. If you run out of room, simply combine everything in the pot you used to cook the macaroni.
• Freeze the extra beef. If you buy ground beef by the pound, use half now and freeze the other half for another meal.
• No half-empty cans. This version uses one full can each of tomato soup and diced tomatoes.
• Same easy cooking method. The smaller batch takes about the same amount of time as the original recipe.

What to Serve with American Goulash?

Round out your meal with something simple:

• A crisp green salad
• Steamed broccoli or green beans
• Roasted vegetables
• A slice of warm bread (if desired)

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

American goulash makes wonderful leftovers, and I think it tastes even better the next day.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently in the microwave (affiliate link) or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if the macaroni has absorbed too much sauce.

You can also freeze individual portions for up to 2 to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The macaroni may be a little softer after freezing.

Another idea: Turn leftover goulash into an easy Hamburger Macaroni Soup by adding some broth.

How Many Calories & Points?

I love how recipes like this can easily be adapted to fit the Weight Watchers program without losing what makes them special.

By using extra-lean ground beef and keeping portions in mind, you still get all the comfort and flavor—just a little lighter.

According to my calculations, each serving has about 354 calories and 8 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

9 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this American Beef Goulash, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

FAQs About American Goulash

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It reheats beautifully and often tastes better the next day.

Can I freeze hamburger goulash?
Absolutely. Store in airtight containers for up to a month.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes—ground turkey is a great lighter option.

Why use tomato soup instead of sauce?
Tomato soup gives this dish its classic creamy, slightly sweet flavor that many of us grew up with.

More WW-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes from Simple Nourished Living

If you enjoy this old-fashioned hamburger goulash, here are a few more easy, satisfying recipes to try:

• Southwestern Hamburger Goulash – A spicier twist on the classic.
• Easy Hamburger Macaroni Soup – A comforting soup with familiar hamburger macaroni flavors.
• Easy Taco Soup – A simple, flavorful dinner made with everyday ingredients.
• Lightened-Up Meatloaf – Another old-fashioned family favorite.
• One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta – An easy skillet dinner with ground beef and pasta.
• Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup – A hearty, satisfying meal that practically cooks itself.

For more dinner inspiration, browse my collection of Weight Watchers Weekly Meal Plans.

Want More Easy WW-Friendly Comfort Food Recipes?

If you love recipes like this Easy American Hamburger Goulash you’ll find even more WW-friendly comfort food favorites in my Ultimate eCookbook Bundle.

It’s packed with simple, family-tested recipes designed to make healthy eating both easier and more enjoyable.

++ Get the Ultimate eCookbook Bundle here ++